Business license for the Christmas market
Anyone who wants to offer something as a seller or showman at the Christmas market is often unsure whether they need a trade license. The regulations for this are very different and depend on the individual case.
Important for showmen at the Christmas market
Whether you need a trade license for the Christmas market depends on various factors:
- If you are involved in a trade within the meaning of the trade regulations, you will of course also need a trade license to participate in the Christmas market. You will learn more about this later.
- Even if you do not need a trade license according to the trade regulations, you may only be allowed to participate in the Christmas market as a showman if you have a trade license. You can only find out from the organizer of the Christmas market whether they insist that every showman must have a trade license.
Check whether a trade license is necessary
- In the sense of the jurisprudence, a trade has 4 characteristics. These are that it is an outward-facing activity and that it is carried out independently. In addition, the activity must be planned for a certain duration and there must be an intention to make a profit. Anyone who only occasionally sells some self-made Christmas decorations at the Christmas market certainly has no business in this sense.
- According to Section 55 of the Trade Regulations, there could also be a travel trade that requires a permit. A travel trade means that you offer goods or services outside of a commercial establishment, for example. Entertaining activities as a showman are also part of it. But according to Section 55a, this does not apply if you do this occasionally at events such as trade fairs, public festivals or for special occasions with the permission of the competent authority.
Become a showman - that's how it works
Annual markets would be without colorful rides, lottery and shooting booths as well as delicious snacks ...
So you usually do not need a trade license to participate in a Christmas market, but the organizer can still require one. To be on the safe side, you should inquire with your municipality whether you can and should register a small business.
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